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Tampa Bay Rays Wiretap

Devil Rays Sign Branyan

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have agreed to terms with left-handed hitting infielder/outfielder Russell Branyan on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training, it was announced today.

Branyan, 30, has hit 93 career major league home runs with Cleveland, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.

Via Press Release


Devil Rays Agree To Terms With Colome

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Jesus Colome on a one-year, $815,000 major league contract, avoiding arbitration, it was announced today.

Colome, 28, was 2-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 36 appearances with the Rays last season. He has pitched in 185 games for the Rays over all or parts of the last five seasons.

Via Press Release


Dropping The Devil In Tampa?

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are considering a name change, the Tampa Tribune reported Friday.

"When [new owner] Stu Sternberg came in, he said there was a need for dramatic change. One way for dramatic change is to change the name," team president Matt Silverman told the paper.

Silverman said that one option is to remove the "Devil" from Devil Rays after meetings with focus groups revealed a negative association with the with word "devil," the Tribune reported.

"When they liked something we did, they would refer to us as the Rays. If they were discussing a complaint or gripe, we were the Devil Rays," Silverman told the paper.

Via ESPN


Arroyo Almost Ready To Rest Easy On Tampa

There's talk in Boston that the Red Sox signed Bronson Arroyo to a reasonable three-year deal to make him more tradable to Tampa Bay for Julio Lugo, but you'd think it was clear by now that in any deal with the Sox the Rays want third-base prospect Andy Marte.

This deal may now be dead since reports are coming out that the Red Sox are close to a deal with Alex Gonzalez.

Via SP Times


Baldelli Might Be Back From Elbow Surgery In Time For Opening Day

Tampa Bay Devil Rays center fielder Rocco Baldelli might recover from elbow surgery in time for opening day.

The 24-year-old tore a knee ligament playing with his younger brother in the backyard of their Rhode Island home in October 2004. He was on the verge of rejoining the Devil Rays last June when he tore a ligament in his right elbow and had to undergo ligament-replacement surgery.

"Rocco is on a pretty good pace right now," Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday. "We don't know exactly if he's going to be ready for opening day, but if he's not, it's going to be close to that."

Via ESPN


Rays Jan 2006 Archive